MCC’s Flexible Course Options Help Students Reach Goals Faster

“Understanding that education is one of the best ways to enhance a person’s life and career, Middlesex Community College strives to remove barriers that could keep people from going to school,” said Arlene Rodríguez, MCC’s Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. “One of our flexible options include Mini-mester sessions, which allow students to complete their courses in a shorter period of time, getting them on track to reach their goals in ways that work best for their busy lives.”

MCC’s Mini-mesters are eight-week accelerated sessions that cover the same content, maintain the same academic standards, and offer the same number of instructional hours as courses scheduled during the traditional 15-week semester. Combined with on-campus, online and hybrid course formats, Mini-mesters are a convenient option for students.

Mini-mesters work for students whether they are looking to start or advance their career, update skills or learn something new. Adult learners in particular are balancing their education with work and family responsibilities, but with Mini-mester courses, students can focus on the topic, complete their requirements, and earn transferable college credits in less time.

“The accelerated courses are great because you can get your credits faster if you can handle the amount of work in a shorter period of time,” said Mitchell Cummings, an MCC Fire Science student from Arlington.

Cummings chose MCC because it was close to home and offered his major, but Middlesex also helped him take advantage of his past knowledge and experience by offering Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). Applying his past experience toward credits will help Cummings finish his degree faster, in addition to working with an advisor to develop an academic plan based on his personal experiences, needs and goals. CPL also considers a student’s background, history, and previous college courses taken ­– even for those who took a few courses.

“My prior credits are from my military training, online classes, fire academy and EMT,” Cummings said. “Receiving the credits was easy and I feel like my experiences from them has helped me greatly toward my goals.”

With two Mini-mesters offered during every Fall and Spring semesters, students can complete more classes over the course of a semester and be ready to transfer to their next institution or enter the workforce. At Middlesex, students taking Mini-mesters also have the ability to start courses mid-way through the full semester, when it works best for their timeframes.

Please note that Middlesex requires all students to be vaccinated in order to come to campus, as of January 2022. Students who are unvaccinated can still choose to take online classes and access online resources and student support services.

MCC’s Spring 2022 Mini-mester II starts on Monday, March 28. For more information and to register for classes, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434.

All Middlesex students also have access to the college’s student support services and resources, including advising, tutoring and the Libraries. For more information, visit https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/academics/offerings.aspx and learn about MCC’s offerings for students of all ages and stages in their lives.

The college also offers payment options and plans, financial aid, scholarships and financial wellness counseling to help students afford and complete their education. For more information, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/financialaid/ and learn how Middlesex can help put students on their paths to success.

To get started with CPL, register at https://myexperiencecounts.mass.edu/home or visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/priorlearning/ for more information.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in education for more than 50 years. Middlesex puts the student first. Meeting each learner where they are, MCC provides them with a safe, welcoming and engaging place to learn. Offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – Middlesex features flexible course formats and a variety of award-winning student support services and resources. Student success starts at MCC!